This shark doesn't bite

WRITTEN BY Roger Desmond         PHOTOS BY Roger Desmond

Friendly, fun atmosphere awaits you at J.A.W.S.

When you walk into J.A.W.S., you’ll immediately see some big teeth and shiny skin. Don’t fret. This barbershop in West Hartford is anything but scary. Owner and barber in charge Anthony Williams is just completing his fourth year in the location; part of a long career of cutting and styling hair, for children and adults.

J.A.W.S. owner Athony Williams takes care of a customer.

The acronym J.A.W.S. originally stood for “Jeff,” “Anthony,” “Will,” and “Sean”—fellow barbers in one of the shops where he worked for 12 years.

And then, at a concert one evening, Anthony spotted a Jumbotron that read “Just Another Way We Survive” and that struck him as a name that would continue as a theme for the new shop. “It’s also a personal mantra that drives my motivation,” he said.

Working in a shop that employed multiple barbers had its problems, Williams explained. “In high volume shops in the Greater Hartford area, I quickly observed how an unprofessional work environment can often get out of control,” he said. “Sometimes the competition becomes a source of stress.

Anthony Williams likes to participate in the community where he lives and works.

“For example, in a shop where I worked, one barber left and started his own shop right next door. Then we became the competition. I decided to take my chair to West Hartford.”

Williams is a role model for his young customers who may need some help. “I’ve been an advocate for these kids throughout my career,” he said. “Sometimes a parent will come in with ideas for a haircut that their child doesn’t want. But Mom and Dad need to understand that you shouldn’t mess with their child’s self-identity. Their entire life at school, with friends, and on the playground, is based on their sense of who they are.”

He likes to participate in the community where he lives and works. “I do a lot of welcoming of customers. If you come to J.A.W.S. you have a special community. I cater to children with special needs. I make them feel comfortable. I am thankful and take pride in the fact that I am able to help various individuals from all walks of life. On a day-to-day basis I service a broad spectrum of hairstyles and textures for men, women, and children.”

J.A.W.S. Barbershop is a fun and cool place to get a haircut or just hang out.

His shop is as kid friendly as he is. “You will never encounter any problems near my door. My shop is clean. We have games and videos. It’s always a safe and clean place.”

Although he works alone, he has a team. He has been married for 14 years and is a father of five. He credits his loving wife for being his “rock.”

Williams believes that “you can’t become too comfortable in your profession; you need to keep growing”. To that end, he studied for and obtained a cosmetology license from the state of Connecticut. “This was more difficult than training for a barber license,” he said. But “it allows me to help my customers in more ways than before. I can offer hairstyling and shaving techniques, nails, scalp techniques, skin care and other skills to let me serve my customers more effectively.”

When you walk into J.A.W.S., all you see are big teeth and shiny skin, but don’t fret. This barbershop in West Hartford is anything but scary.

He believes that the barbering business in the future will change the way other businesses have: “It will become a service industry. The shop will move from single chair delivery to places that have many chairs and multiple barbers.”

But by then, he says he will have retired. For now, though he isn’t ready. “I have a lot of information that I can give back to the community,” he said. “This work is something I would do even if I was not being paid.” WHL

J.A.W.S.

5 Oakwood Ave.

West Hartford

www.jawsbarbershop.com/

860-841-1860